Last Minute Christmas!

Right Now...

* I am glad that I am feeling better! I have felt pretty crappy for about three weeks

* I love wrapping gifts simply 

* I had a disastrous experience with Contact paper

* I am craving peppermint stick ice cream.

* I am so glad to be heading home for Christmas! I miss family a lot!

* Got a new pair of pants yesterday, but had to throw out an old pair today. 

* I think NOOKs are great! Tried one out this weekend! Amazing!

Great Kid Quote:

Little Girl: Guess what I want to be when I grow up?

Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Little Girl: A teacher, just like you!

New Blogs

New discoveries in the blog world

 Crap I've Made

 Yellow Mums

Musings of a Housewife

Eighteen25 

Life...Your Way

The Picky Apple
Busy Budgeting Mama

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

Abraham Lincoln

Band-aid concern.

One Friday morning I was in a rush to get to work. I was planning to wear shorts that day, so I needed to shave my legs.A dreaded task. I was going quite fast I nicked myself on the leg. Ouch!

The only band-aids that I had available are the large flexible ones made out of some kind of fabric. So, I put one on my little cut not really giving much thought to it. It was just the closest band-aid that I had. 

Later that day, I was in the 3.5 year old class. It was a BIG deal that I had this huge band-aid on my leg. Just the size of it must have made them think I had suffered some kind of terrible accident. They are three remember!

During the whole storytime, there was this one little girl down in the front who kept looking at my leg.She kept staring at the band-aid. Then she would elbow the children sitting next to her.  She kept pointing at it with an expression of such concern.

I stopped in the middle of one of the books to explain that I had just a little cut on my leg, but had put a really big band-aid on it. The children wanted to know how I had received the cut. Had someone kissed it? Did I need to go to the hospital? How long would I have to keep the band-aid on?

What really struck me was the concern that children at such a young age can exhibit. As adults we can sometimes overlook those small occurrences. At three years old getting a cut is a huge event. I love their sweet spirits. Children see the small things. They see the details.

What can I learn from this?

Slow down!

Enjoy the little things!

I believe...that the children and teenagers that I have worked with over the last twelve years have taught me so much more than I have taught them.

Exploding Washing Machines, Cheeky Kids, and Homesickness

My wonderful husband stayed up late last night to do laundry! Isn't he a doll? While he was watching Stargate waiting for the washing to finish, he heard some rumblings going on in the laundry room. He goes in and the room was filled with smoke. Thankfully he was able to get the thing unplugged. Another thing to be thankful for was that was the last load that needed to be done. Soo...for a few day we shall be without a washing machine. I slept through the whole thing! Hopefully it can be fixed tomorrow or Friday! Praying for a speedy fix to this problem!

Yesterday was an interesting day at work. In the youngest preschool class I almost had my pants pulled down by three adorable children! While trying to leave the classroom, three children were hugging/holding on for dear life. Me, I was trying not to expose my underwear to the world. I looked at the teacher with a look of "Please remove these children from my pants!" I finally escaped left that classroom fully dressed. 

This was a conversation between me and a 9 year old girl in Scrapbooking Club!

Me: Ok guys time to clean up! Hey I see some scrap paper on the floor over there!

9 Year Old Girl: Yeah, I see it too! (Slight smile to see if I was going to let her get away with that comment)

Oooooo...What a sassy girl! Actually I think it was pretty funny, but you can't let the kids know that you are amused with their downright sassy-ness!

I have been pretty homesick lately! Actually that is not really accurate. I've been really missing family.  I really wish we lived closer to our families. I can't help feeling this way. I feel like we are missing out on so much of the family stuff by living here. I know that it hurts Michael when I tell him I wanna see family. I think he feels like I'm not happy with my life here and that he is not enough. I love him so much,more than I tell or show him most of time. I'm just sick of being those people in the the picture on the refrigerator door.I would love to be the Aunt who brings the kiddos for ice cream. The Aunt who takes the kids to the park. The Aunt who goes rollerskating.Thats just how I'm feeling.

Michael loves his job! I love that Michael loves his job! I really want to support him in his career. It is just so hard when your heart really wants to be someplace else.

Here are a couple of little things I made this weekend. I originally made them to print out and frame, but I think I might print them out and send as fall cards!

Have a good night everyone!

I don't know, but he is cute!!

Another adorable conversation with a four year old!

Me: Little S,what is your friend's name? (She had been holding his hand not five minutes before)

Little S:(shrugs shoulders) I don't know, but he is cute!

Gramma Nutt

 This week's theme at work was "Candy Land"! I got to be Gramma Nutt! I went into the classrooms to play a couple of fun games! One of the games was "pin the peanut in the basket" which was a take off of "pin the tail on the donkey". One of the kids told his teacher he couldn't play the game because he was allergic to nuts! :D :D :D

Birthday-In-a-Box and Stuffed Shells

Watching the news lately has made me feel pretty helpless. Why does the news always have to be so negative? Why do they always leave the happy human interest stories until the end. Why can't they mix them in with the rest of the "news".

While reading through my quote journals recently I was reminded of a quote by Mother Teresa, “We can do no great things; only small things with great love.”

Small things. I need to remember the small things. The smile from a stranger. Someone opening the door for you when you have your hands full. The warmth of a sweater. The smell of fresh brewed coffee. The flower or tiny gift given just because. 

Trying to be more mindful and remember to do those little things that make other people's day!


Being busy is no longer going to be an excuse for being lazy. If everyone would take steps to "small things with great love" think of what the world could be life!


Have had the desire to plan a kids birthday party lately. Don't know why, I don't have children. Ok...I do spend a LARGE chunk of my waking hours with children. So anyway,I was on Volunteer Match looking for volunteer opportunities in my area. I came across an opportunity to create themed birthday-in-a-box for the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Cincinnati. It's the most perfect volunteer opportunity. I get to use my desire to make a difference and my love for creating and planning thing. Perfect. So the theme for the box is Butterflies. Going for the 5 to 6 year  old age range. I'm so excited to get started. Hoping to make a couple of things this weekend. Maybe a cool butterfly banner!! Stay tuned for pictures of the project as it comes together. 


Made the most delicious stuffed shells for dinner on Saturday! Yummy! I used ricotta instead of cottage cheese. I enjoy the texture of ricotta a lot more. 

  

I will leave you with a funny kid conversation

                
        Little E: Ms. Emily are you a mommy?
        Me: Not yet!
        Little E: Are you a sister?
        Me: Yup! I have a brother!
        Little E: My brother is old enough to be a 
        daddy!
        Me: How old is he?
        Little E: Seven!

I love 4 year olds!

Have a lovely evening!

Emily

Funny Kid Quote!

This was a conversation that I had with a  4-year old!

Little Boy: Ms. Emily, Why are you a girl?

Me: Because thats the way I was born! Why are you a boy?

Little Boy: Because I have a little something special!

:D

A Sign that I saw at the library!

Showers, Memories, and Michael Jackson changing colors!

 The one thing that I wish I had more of from my wedding is shots of the little special details. I love taking pictures of all the little things!

 The paper lanterns. The Mom-to-be took them home for her nursery! The colors were green and pink. The theme was jungle!

 One of the party planners made these adorable jungle animal chocolates! They disappeared quickly

One of my co-workers had her baby shower today! What a sweet event! Sara, the mother-to-be is such an adorable pregnant chick! I think she would disagree with me! You be the judge!

  The Mom-to-be and the lovely party hostesses! They did a beautiful job putting together this shower.

When I got back from the shower I found that my husband had made this.

Michael likes to collect ticket stubs, menus, and brochures from different places that we have been! I love that my husband is into preserving our memories too!

Funny Kid Quote

I was reading "A Color of His Own" by Leo Lionni to a group of 3.5 year olds. The book is about a chameleon who wants a color of his own. Wherever he goes he changes colors.

One of the darling 3.5 year olds says, "Michael Jackson changed colors just like the chameleon!"

I had quite the laugh! Where do kids come up with this stuff?

The church search is finally over! Thank goodness. The whole process of looking for a church was really uncomfortable. Lakeside Christian Church is the winner!

TTFN...I'm watching August Rush!

Kids say the funniest things

This is a page of a little book that I wrote for Storytime. The Monkey in the picture is the puppet that I bring around to storytime with me. The kids love the puppet!  So I thought the kids would love to see the Monkey doing fun things.

So, yesterday while reading the book to the kids, I asked them if they have ever gone snow sledding. This is what what one little boy said.

" I love snow sledding. I go with my daddy all the time! "

(Then he points to the above picture)

"But thats not my daddy in your book".

I laughed! The man in the photo above is my husband. The other teacher in the room fell over laughing! Little kids say the funniest things!

Have a good night everyone!


Emiliy

Here is my fabulous husband who was playing a game with our niece and nephew! So cute!

I want another icecream sandwich!

Kids say the funniest things! I get to work with close to 500 kiddos each week, so I hear some real doozies! Here is a real conversation.

Scence: Scrapbooking Club for Students in Kindergarten-6th Grade

Characters: Me and Little A

Descriptions of Characters

Me: Teacher who likes to spoil kids

Little A: A tiny, spunky, and cute little Kindergartener.

Little A: Ms. Emily, I don't like this. (Handing me a a sliver of her uneaten ice cream sandwich. Her face was also covered with the ice cream sandwich)

Me: Thats fine. You can throw the rest away

Little A: But I didn't like THIS one, so I need another one.

Me: Well, Little A. you already ate almost all of the one you didn't like.

Little A: (Clearly getting frustrated with my not understanding her) But I didn't like that ONE so I need another one!

Me: Little A, everyone only gets ONE.I don't want you to spoil your dinner.

Little A: But Ms. Emily I didn't like that One. I won't tell my Mommy if you give me another one.

Me: (Speaking to the rest of the kids).Ok guys, lets grab our coats and go outside.

Little A: Ms. Emily please, Ms. Emily please, Ms. Emily please! MS. EMILY PLEASE! (full on pout now)

Me: Little A. can you show me where you jacket is?

Little A: SURE! It's in my Tinker bell back pack!

Too funny!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!!!!

We had the Mother's Day parties at school on Friday! As per usual I ran around with the camera and stuck it in people's faces! He,He! One Mom even said, "Why do you always have your camera with you?" I said, "Because kids are only small for so long and its fun to document it."

Anyway...I wish I could put some of the adorable pictures of the Moms and their kiddos, but you'll have to settle for these!

I love this one because it is completely random!

I'll play along too! Here is what is Special about some of Mother's in my family!

I can't believe I said "Caring" three time! Yet it is so true!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Saturday!

Here is a card that one of the kiddos made in scrapbooking club! She attached the card using pipe cleaners so that it is pops out! Very cool :D
On Wednesday evening, Michael and I went for a walk! Everything was going great until we were heading across the parking lot and I tripped over this rock! I skinned my knee really badly! Michael helped me up, but he was laughing the whole time! He kept the rock!

A pretty that I picked up at Target!

Yummy! Chocolate covered strawberries!
The Tag is from the Jessica Sprague "Thank you Kindly" Digital Kit!

Thanks Jessica!

Some tulips that Michael got me last weekend!
I made this card for a lady in my small group at church! I took the pictures at the Cincinnati zoo. The flowers there this time of year are incredible!
I am addicted to Scrapbooking books and magazines! Yet I have something called Scrap Block. I see all the wonderful pages in the magazines and I get frightened that mine just won't cut it! I just recently came to the conclusion about a month or so ago that IT DOESN'T MATTER! It is more important just to get the story out there! So I've started a project to tell the stories of my childhood! Here are my first two pages! Yahooooo!

The patterned paper and Tag is from the Jessica Sprague "Thank You Kindly" kit! The bird is from The Krafty Girl Freebie Kit by Lisa Habbisreutinger

Silly Kid Conversation of the Week

A conversation with Little C:A 6 Year Old Boy

Little C: Ms Emily...PLEASSSSSSSE turn off Hannah Montana. It's horrible! (Covering Ears)

Me: What kind of Music do you like?

Little C: Sweet Home Alabama!

Me: I like that song too!

Little C: Do you know what my favorite song is?

Me: Tell me!

Little C: Baby got back!

Me: Really! Where did you hear that song?

Little C: My grandma plays that song!

Kids these days!

Lexi watching a video!
My niece Lexi at Christmas!


My silly nephew I.